BITS OF HISTORY (DECEMBER 5)

1914: Italy announces neutrality in World War One.

1926: The French Impressionist painter Claude Monet died.

1977: Egypt broke ties with Syria, Libya, Algeria, Iraq and South Yemen after they all opposed its peace moves with Israel.

2001: Afghan factions signed an accord to set up a post-Taliban government headed by Pashtun chief Hamid Karzai.

2003: An explosion tore through a morning commuter train just outside Yessentuki station on Russia's southern fringe. Forty-six people were killed and more than 160 injured.